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Eye Allergy Center - Ankeny, IA

Ankeny Asthma & Allergy Specialist Doctors for Eye Allergy

Type of Physician: Asthma & Allergy Specialist

What is a Asthma & Allergy Specialist?

A certification by the Board of Allergy & Immunology; practitioners are expert in the evaluation, diagnosis and management of immune disorders.

Specialty: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Common Name: Allergy Doctor

Asthma & Allergy Specialist Doctors in Ankeny *

Pediatric & Adult Allergy
Robert A Colman
1212 Pleasant St
STE 110
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 244-7229

Pediatric & Adult Allergy
Whitney Molis
1212 Pleasant St
STE 110
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 244-7229

James A Wille MD
James A Wille
1212 Pleasant St
STE 109
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 283-0161

Allergy Institute PC
Ahmad Y Al-Shash
1701 22nd St
STE 207
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 223-8622

Allergy Asthma & Sinus Center
Ravinder Agarwal
1200 Valley West Dr
West Towers STE 120
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 226-9559

McFarland Clinic Allergy & Immunology
Jay E Brown
1215 Duff Ave
Allergy & Immunology
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-4482

McFarland Clinic Allergy & Immunology
Edward Nassif
1215 Duff Ave
Allergy & Immunology
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-4482

Allergy Lung & Sleep Center
Michael McCubbin
1108 Washington St
Allergy & Immunology
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 621-1487

Mahaska Health Partnership
Ronald W Graeff
410 W 12th St
UNIT 100
Oskaloosa, IA 52577
(641) 672-3360

David C Redfern MD
David C Redfern
1753 W Ridgeway Ave
United Medical Park STE 106
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 833-5982

Ankeny, Iowa

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Eye Allergy

Eye allergy introduction

The eyes are the windows to the soul because they reflect our state of mind. This certainly can't be true if our eyes are red, swollen, watery, and itchy from an allergic reaction. Severe allergic eye symptoms can be very distressing and are a common reason for visits to the allergist, ophthalmologist, and even the emergency room. Occasionally, severe eye allergies cause serious damage that can threaten eyesight.

Eye allergies usually are associated with other allergic conditions, particularly hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and atopic eczema (dermatitis). The causes of eye allergies are similar to those of allergic asthma and hay fever. Medications and cosmetics can play a significant role in causing eye allergies. Reactions to eye irritants and other eye conditions (for example, infections such as pinkeye) are often confused with eye allergy.

What is the basic anatomy of the outer eye?

Eye allergies mainly involve the conjunctiva, which is the tissue lining (mucus membrane) that covers the white surface of the eyeball and the inner folds of the eyelids. The conjunctiva is a barrier structure that is exposed to the environment and the many different allergens (substances that stimulate an allergic response) that become airborne. It is rich in blood vessels and contains more mast cells (histamine-releasing cells) than the lungs.

The lacrimal (tear) glands are located in the upper and outer portions of the eye. They are responsible for producing the watery component of tears, which keeps the eye moist and washes away irritants. The tears also contain important components of the immune defense such as immunoglobulin (antibodies), lymphocytes (specialized white blood cells), and enzymes.

The cornea is the transparent sheath in front of the lens of the eye. The cornea has no blood vessels and very little immune activity.

Why are the eyes ...

Recommended Reading Related to Eye Allergy

Itching »

Itching (itch) facts

  • The medical term for itching is pruritus.
  • Infections, bites and stings, infestations, chronic diseases, sun exposure, and dry skin are among the numerous causes of itching.
  • Anti-itch creams and lotions containing camphor, menthol, phenol, pramoxine (Caladryl, Tronolane), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or benzocaine can bring relief.
  • Some cases of itching will respond to corticosteroid medications.
  • It is best to avoid scratching and itch when possible to avoid worsening of the condition and disruption of the skin that could lead to bacterial infection.
  • If itching persists with time or worsens, or is associated with skin lesions, consulting a health-care practitioner is advisable.

What is an itch?

Itch is an irritation in the skin that elicits an urge to scratch. Itches are a common problem and can be localized (limited to one area of the body) or gen...

Emergency Contact for Ankeny

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Ankeny Hospitals *

VA Central Iowa Health Care Des Moines
3600 30th St
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515)699-5999

Broadlawns Medical Center
1801 Hickman Rd
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515)282-2200

Iowa Lutheran Hospital
700 E University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515)263-5612

Mercy Franklin Center
1818 48th St
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515)271-6000

Mercy Medical Center Des Moines
1111 6th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515)247-3121

Blank Children's Hospital
1200 Pleasant St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515)241-5437

Iowa Methodist Medical Center
1200 Pleasant St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515)241-6212

Mary Greeley Medical Center
1111 Duff Ave
Ames, IA 50010
(515)239-2011

Story County Medical Center
630 Sixth St
Nevada, IA 50201
(515)382-2111

Dallas County Hospital
610 Tenth St
Perry, IA 50220
(515)465-3547

Boone County Hospital
1015 Union St
Boone, IA 50036
(515)432-3140

Skiff Medical Center
204 N Fourth Ave E
Newton, IA 50208
(641)792-1273

Madison County Healthcare System
300 Hutchings St
Winterset, IA 50273
(515)462-2373

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